Uruguay Severe Storms, Argentina Heavy Rain, High Winds

A strong coastal storm will bring heavy rain and some gusty thunderstorms to parts of northeastern Argentina and Uruguay into the weekend. Major concerns include flooding, and perhaps some localized wind damage.

A cold front will cross Uruguay on Saturday. Along and ahead of this front, showers and thunderstorms will develop, first in the south near Montevideo, Uruguay and Buenos Aires, Argentina late Friday night. The potentially damaging storms will spread northward through the Uruguay Saturday before clearing the country Saturday night.

A few thunderstorms can be locally strong Saturday, especially Saturday afternoon, across central and northern Uruguay. Wind gusts past 50 mph (80 km/h) will be possible in any of these strong thunderstorms, along with locally heavy rainfall. Some small hail will also be possible in any of the stronger thunderstorms.

Rainfall across Uruguay with this storm from late Friday night through Saturday night will average 0.50-1.00 of an inch (12-25 mm). Local amounts may exceed 2 inches (50 mm) in a few locations, especially in northwest Uruguay. This heavy rainfall may lead to localized flooding.

Farther south, a coastal storm will strengthen just offshore of the southern part of the Buenos Aires province. While heavy rain will be an issue near the coast, the big ticket story will be the winds. Much like a nor'easter in the northeastern United States, this storm will rapidly intensify and winds will whip in from the ocean. With no friction to slow the winds down, the coast will see wind gusts past 50 mph (80 km/h) that may cause some damage to property as well as power outages. These winds will cause the sea to be rough, with waves over 8 feet (over 3 meters) that will cause beach erosion.